Volunteers were left disappointed and worried after hearing of a convoy carrying aid and supplies for flood victims being hijacked en route to Kota Baru, leaving those accompanying the vehicles stranded by the roadside.
Facebook-based charity organisation We Love, We Care, We Share founder Ivan Bernard Zuzartee said security measures for disaster relief operations must be looked into following the hijacking.
“This is to guarantee the safe passage of public-assisted flood relief efforts,” he said.
“It ensures that aid and supplies safely reach the victims and are appropriately distributed.”
He said coordination with other volunteers is also vital for smooth relief efforts.
“Flood relief teams should coordinate among themselves so that there is no overlapping.
“We did this with other organisations. If one organisation says they are covering relief in Kota Baru, everyone else can focus on other areas so more ground is covered.”
In terms of a long-term solution to the floods, Zuzartee said relocation of houses is in order so less people will be affected in the future.
“Now, houses should be built on higher grounds, away from the floods,” he said reported by Malay Mail.
“What is the point of people staying in the same area when they will have to deal with the floods again next year?”
– See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/after-aid-convoy-seized-groups-urge-security-for-flood-relief-efforts#sthash.HvIKTJC5.dpuf
